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Heterologously expressed SacP23, a novel bacteriocin from Paenibacillus polymyxa #23, is active against methicillin

Châu Minh Khánh1,2, Dong Van Quyen3,4, Thi Thu Hao Van1

  • 1School of Science, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria 3083, Australia.

Royal Society Open Science
|December 21, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Researchers discovered a novel antimicrobial peptide, SacP23, from *Paenibacillus polymyxa*. This peptide shows broad-spectrum activity, offering a potential alternative to conventional antibiotics against resistant bacteria.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Genomics

Background:

  • Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics.
  • Novel bacteriocins with unique properties are sought for treating bacterial infections.
  • The marine sponge-associated bacterium *Paenibacillus polymyxa* #23 exhibits broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and characterize novel antimicrobial peptides from *Paenibacillus polymyxa* #23.
  • To investigate the genetic basis of the antimicrobial activity of *P. polymyxa* #23.
  • To confirm the antimicrobial activity of a novel sactipeptide bacteriocin, SacP23.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of *Paenibacillus polymyxa* #23.
  • Bioinformatic analysis to predict genes encoding antimicrobial peptides.
  • Heterologous expression of the SacP23 gene cluster in *Bacillus subtilis*.

Main Results:

  • Identification of multiple genes encoding antimicrobial peptides, including a novel sactipeptide bacteriocin named SacP23.
  • The recombinant *Bacillus subtilis* strain expressing the SacP23 gene cluster demonstrated antimicrobial activity.
  • Activity was observed against Gram-positive bacteria, including multi-drug resistant *Staphylococcus aureus*.

Conclusions:

  • SacP23 is a novel bacteriocin with confirmed antimicrobial activity.
  • Heterologous expression of entire gene clusters is an effective method for studying antimicrobial compounds.
  • This approach facilitates the discovery of new antimicrobial agents for therapeutic applications.
Keywords:
Paenibacillus polymyxaantimicrobialbacteriocinheterologous expressionsactipeptide

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